Melvin Burdette Dysart, 74, passed away on Thursday, April 18, 2024. Melvin was born on July 19, 1949 in Appalachia, VA & resided in Big Stone Gap, VA. He was an all-sports athlete at Appalachia High School who lettered in every sport & attended Milligan College on a football scholarship. He retired from Norfolk Southern Railroad.
Melvin is survived by his wife, Shirlee (Whitt), his daughter “Punkin” Melissa, sisters Carol Turner, Beatrice (Walter) Hall, & Gloria (Bobby) Gillenwater, brother Matthew (Sabrina) Dysart, sisters-in-law Sandra Whitt, Jenni Collier, Sandy Dysart, & brother-in-law Buster (Sherry) Whitt. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, & other relatives. Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, Beatrice & “Doc” William Dysart, sisters Ella (Zirkle) Jenkins & Rachel Dysart, brothers Bill (Corley) Dysart, & Tommy Dysart.
Melvin enjoyed gardening, cooking, fishing, & the outdoors. He got the nickname Mean Man Melvin from his fierce competitive athletic days, but he was an extremely generous, kind, & loving man. He was truly loved & will be greatly missed.
A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at Powell Valley Memorial Gardens at 1 p.m. with Lowell “Cotton” Gardner officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to an animal shelter/charity of your choice.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Dysart family.
To view the obituary online and offer condolences, visit www.gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home Facebook page.